NEWS & NOTES

July 2003

be prepared
A survey of 8,000 travelers found that most don't do nearly enough to prepare for health risks before visiting developing countries. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. travelers surveyed said they did not seek out any health advice before making such a trip, even though there is a 60 to 70 percent chance that visitors to developing countries will develop a health problem if they don't take proper precautions. Among U.S. travelers, 65 percent who went to "malaria-endemic" destinations said they were unaware of the risk of malaria. And 71 percent took no precautions against Hepatitis A, the most common of preventable diseases. "There is a clear need for improved awareness and education among travelers about health risks related to trips abroad," said Francesco Castelli, M.D., co-author of the study.

airport news

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor will be the next major airport to consolidate all its rental car operations in a single new facility. It will be located between 16th Street and Interstate 10, and between Sky Harbor Circle South and I-17; construction will start this fall, and it should be ready in 2005
  • Lufthansa passengers outbound from Frankfurt Airport have a new remote — very remote —check-in option: They can check in themselves and their luggage at Cologne's main railway station, then hop on a train direct to Frankfurt Airport. The 57-minute train trip operates 16 times a day. A similar service has been available in Stuttgart since 2001.

    hotel happenings

  • The former Swissotel Boston on June 26 became the Hyatt Regency Boston Financial District, Hyatt's third property in Boston
  • Marriott has cut the ribbon on the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel, its first full-service hotel in downtown Seattle
  • New York City's Millennium Hilton, which stands across the street from Ground Zero, has reopened
  • Also in Manhattan, Starwood plans a July opening for a Four Points by Sheraton in the Chelsea district on W. 25th Street
  • Candlewood Hotels has taken over management of 15 former Summerfield Suites properties around the country.

    mileage update

  • In this year's Freddie Awards from Inside Flyer magazine, Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan was named best U.S. frequent flyer program, while Starwood won top honors in the hotel category for its Preferred Guest plan. Emirates' Skywards program was tops among foreign airlines. Ballots were cast by 232,480 business travelers
  • America West FlightFund members can now earn miles for Hertz rentals
  • AirTran Airways overhauled its a-Plus Rewards program; it now has an elite level with free upgrades and separate check-in; and members can now monitor accounts and book award flights online.

    short & suite
    How much does it cost to stay in an all-suite property vs. a regular hotel room? Runzheimer International surveyed 240 cities nationwide, and found an average rate of $126 a night for a unit with separate bedroom, living room, and a full kitchen. But the range was considerable: The highest nightly rate was in Manhattan ($290), followed by Washington D.C. ($193), San Francisco ($187) and Providence, R.I. ($178). The lowest average rate was in Tyler, Tex. ($79), followed by Greenville, S.C. and Tulsa, Okla. (both $81).

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